Joe Burgess will make his first England appearance in a decade after being named in the 19-man squad for Saturday’s deciding Ashes Test against Australia at AMT Headingley, Leeds. The 31-year-old Hull KR winger last played for England in 2015 during the series against New Zealand and has been recalled by head coach Shaun Wane.
Burgess capped a remarkable 2025 season as a key figure in Hull KR’s treble-winning campaign. Wane, who previously coached Burgess at Wigan Warriors, said he was delighted to give him a start, describing Burgess as a player with ‘a new lease of life at Hull KR’ and someone ‘we need more of’ while adding that the coaching group are guiding him rather than restricting his personality.
Burgess himself said he always believed he could return to international rugby: ‘I did it once, could do it again. Once you get to 31, you wonder if it is too late. This has been the best year of my life — first time winning Challenge Cup and Super League, then being recalled to the England squad.’
England go into the final Test 0-2 down in the three-match series and are missing winger Dom Young, who is out with a broken foot. Harry Newman returns to the side and is in line for his first appearance of the series at his home ground, replacing Jake Wardle. Jack Welsby remains out after being dropped following the first Test at Wembley. John Bateman is absent with an ankle injury sustained before the second Test. Kallum Watkins retains his place after earning his 30th England cap last weekend.
Wane may shuffle his backline, with Herbie Farnworth a candidate to move to his preferred left-centre role.
Kick-off is at 14:30 GMT on Saturday and the match will be shown live on BBC One.
England squad: AJ Brimson, Joe Burgess, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Tom Johnstone, Mikey Lewis, Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oledzi, George Williams (capt), Harry Smith, Mike McMeeken, Jez Litten, Matty Lees, Kai Pearce-Paul, Kallum Watkins, Morgan Knowles, Owen Trout, Alex Walmsley, Morgan Smithies.
Australia XIII: Reece Walsh, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Hudson Young, Isaah Yeo (captain).
Interchanges: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi.
Reserves: Bradman Best, Lindsay Smith, Mitchell Moses.
Australia make only one change to their starting XV from the second Test, with captain Isaah Yeo returning after missing the Liverpool match after failing a head injury assessment. That means Australia revert to the side picked for the first Test at Wembley: Yeo at loose forward, Patrick Carrigan back to the front row and Lindsay Collins moving to the bench. Australia have already wrapped up the series after wins of 26-6 at Wembley and 14-4 in Liverpool.
Wane also addressed criticism of Burgess over past social media activity. In 2024 Burgess reposted a comment on X by far-right activist Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon); Hull KR spoke to him about the post at the time. Wane defended Burgess, saying he meant no malice and that the team are helping to guide him, while Burgess said his views are his own off the pitch and that he prefers to ‘let my rugby do the talking.’
